Learn how to say these difficult words correctly in English! Does “cough” rhyme with “off” or with “cow”? How about “drought”, “laugh”, and “through”? How would you pronounce these words? I understand these may confuse you, because the pronunciations are different depending on the word. In this lesson, we will look at the different sounds of words with the endings -ough and -augh. This lesson will improve your speaking and listening skills, so be sure to watch and complete the quiz at the end!

Interesting pronunciation video-lesson Adam. However, never had I taken a pronunciation quiz like this before.

In order to do well on the quiz, you’ve got to be familiar enough with the pronunciation of a number of unfamiliar words.

Challenging quiz, but at the same time very illustrative of English pronunciation.

Superb lesson Adam! Regards

Monday, January 30th 2017

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hi regino, just i would to say that your comments are something exceptional and i bet that you’ve followed this website for a long time and you are excelent learner in english , aren’t you? for that i will alyaws read your comment, i appreciate you.good luck.

Hello Soei,how are you doing friend? why can’t I see you on Adam’s forum these days. I have been looking for you for long.What happened to you? Is there something wrong with you.Please let me know.I am really worried for you.Stay healthy.May you be blessed.

Thank you very much Adam!!I had been waiting for a lesson like this for some time ago. But the problems come at the time of reading out loud or at the time of writing them.
As you said, every word is pronounced differently and there´re no rules to follow, which makes very difficult for Spanish people to learn these kind of words.
I think I should watch the video a couple of times again!
Thanks again ;)

I disagree with you Vladkabatkovich. The subject of this lesson is not so easy. I have always met difficulties in pronunciating these words. We must memorize them. Unfortunately, there isn’t another way to learn them.

Another great lesson.hats off to you teacher.Its your 98th video teacher and you are going to make your 100 videos soon.Wow thats great teacher,aren’t you going to celebrate your 100th video with all your students around the world,Of course you should since it was such a long journey and required alot of strength,courage and determination.And you did it successfully,thats really great thumbs up to a great teacher like you.We’ve really learnt alot from all of your precious videos and looking forword to more good videos from you and also expect a grand celebration.I personally request engvid management to do this for you as a reward for all your hardwork and to decorate the entire room even the board you write on with colourful buntings and you should also not dressed casualy in that video.Don’t you think it will add some colour to the entire leaning process and will make the students more interested and happy.Even the topic of your 100th video could be “events and celebrations” in wich you can teach us about the most popular events that are celebrated all over the world and that everybody should know about like halloween day,thanksgiving day and many other days and events like these.Thanks.Let me be the first to congratulate you on your 100th video in advance.Congratulations teacher

Friday, January 27th 2017

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Wow, what a cool suggestion!!! It can be a different and new happening in engvid. Engvid Moderator, please do this for all of our great teachers. Dear buddies, what’s your opinion???

Yes! I join to this as well!!! Great idea. I’ll be looking forward for the anniversary!
But you know, maybe I’m impolite and little mannerless, but I’m so interested in personalities of EngVid teachers, that I’d rather know some details about their lives. For example, how they celebrate their birthdays and other important events. What is important for Canadian families. What kind of books are read in your family. And pets!!!! Do you like them? Excuse me if I hurt your feelings with my request in advance.

hi nataanna,I really appreciate your liking for the teachers but knowing about their personal lifes would be rather too personal.I don’t know what teacher would think or say but I personally think we being students should not peep into their personal lifes,And this will also distract us from our basic purpose of learning.Well this is my thought may be teacher doesn’t think this way so don’t mind my words.I admit all the students whether they are young or old they like and admire their best teachers to the extent that they become their idols and they start worshipping them,so do you,rather all the students at this forum do.No doubt our teacher really worth this love and respect.He is the best of all.

Sunday, January 29th 2017

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Hi Eichi! You are right, of course. My request was non-applicable. See you!

Hi nataanna,I didn’t mean it.Don’t come to a conclusion so quickly,Lets wait for the teacher,Let him decide whether your request could be considered or not may be my thought is wrong and he agrees to your idea.well I have got an idea for those who wants to know about there teachers,lets have a vote on the forum,If more than 50% students vote for the idea then we all will make a request to the engvid moderator to arrange interviews of all teachers at engvid one by one starting from our great teacher Adam.In this way on one hand students will learn how to make an interview,and what are the basic questions asked in a general interview while on the other hand students like you and others will know about your favourite teachers.How is it???still don’t know what teacher will say.

Another bright idea!
Eichi, have you noticed, we compete for being the first one to comment new videos. Join us. It may seem silly for the first sight, but it’s so challenging and funny!
I’ll float your ideas into forum the next lesson. See you

So what teacher,we don’t have anything to do with the other teachers.We want a great celebration for our teacher and you know there is a big difference between you and other teachers.You will definitely see a big difference in students response,I’m sure.I must ask all my friends at forum and we will all celebrate the event with you.Please engvid moderator do something.

so what teacher why not for you???we don’t have anything to do with the other teachers.We just want a great celebration for our teacher.And you know their is a big difference between you and the other teachers.You will definitely see a big difference in students response,I’m sure.I must ask all my friends at the forum and we will all celebrate the event with you.Please engvid moderator do something,you won’t disappoint all the students.

No it doesn’t happen with me, I guess it is issue of setting, try to modify the quality of video, so click on Setting, then Quality, you will find diffrent qualities (from 144p to 1080p), choose 480, it is quite clear and visible.
I hope this helped you.

It was an interesting lesson but difficult at the same time because you have to be immersed in the sound of the language all days to find out how a word is pronounced. You have to practise all time the English to identify these sounds and words, it was difficult for a latin speaker, anyway, thanks a lot, teacher Adam for your explanation.

I don’t think the lesson is for beginners. When all these words are gathered together it’s difficult studying them at once (if they aren’t familiar to you). One should better memorize them one by one in context. But it’s great to make a system for higher level students or compare and revise them.
Though I had known the word draught, and moreover I’m an engineer and a constructor designer and draw every day, I made a mistake! So, I do need this lesson very much. Thank you.

Thanks for lesson , Adam. Another good one. Forever EngVid!!! :)
And always English makes me ask questions.
Please explain. These words such as “regardless”, “despite” and in “spite of” are different? When should I use each of them?

Sunday, January 29th 2017

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Hi Alexander,

In spite of and despite mean the same thing and both are prepositions. Just make sure not to mix them (no: despite of; in despite)

regardless is used as a linking word to lead to a new idea. (it’s an adverb)

In terms of meaning they are similar. the main difference is their place in the construction of a sentence

although I understand almost everything what you or your colleagues say in your videos, I am still not capable to understand what cinema actors are saying when they talk.
is that normal ?? and will that be solved with the time.

Sunday, January 29th 2017

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Absolutely, Saidtiget.

We slow down a little to help you. Also, we use simpler language. Actors in a movie use slang, and cultural references and they speak fast. You will get it with time.

Thanks, Adam.
I saw “throwback” this word in many posts.
I would like to know “throwback from five years ago” or “throwback to five years ago” which one is correct?
Under what situations should I use to and from?

Tuesday, January 31st 2017

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Sorry, get one more question.
“continue on the subject of…” or “continue the subject of…” which one is correct? Besides, is there any other way to say and have the same meaning?
Thanks in advance. :)

thorough
[‘θɜ͟ːroʊ] is AE, while BE is [‘θʌ̱rə], the latter being provided by most common dictionaries.
Besides, don’t forget ‘-ly’ can be added there to build the corresponding adverb, and the unstressed diphthong certainly turns into a schwa then.

Tuesday, January 31st 2017

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Hi Serge,

Pronunciation is your choice. There is no one right way with such a universal language.

:) What I meant to say is that you have to choose the dialect you want to follow and go with a corresponding dictionary. If you look at many words in an American or British dictionary, you’ll see different phonetic spellings. You have to go with the one you think you’ll use.

If so,please tell me to which region his accent belongs because I’m beginning to notice that American people pronounce words in a little different ways.(I don’t say about black people’s accent. I watched the movie “Fences” a few times and it helped me.)
Thank you Adam and thank you Moderator for being that question possible!

His name is Mark Douglas Nelson. From what I could find online, I’d say he’s from California. He’s a professional narrator. His accent is native, but theatrical, which is why it might be throwing you off a bit.

Hi, everybody! Though I watch engvid-lessons very oten it is my first comment. I have thought up some funny sentences to remember pronunciation of -ought words. May be it will help you too? 1.(au) You can not plough the slough./Look out! There is a drought./Shaking bough makes a souhg. 2.(af) He is rough and tough. It is enough. 3.(of) Seeing your trough I have a cough. 4.(ou) Though he kneaded the dough his furlough was not low. (I am not sure that the third and the last sentences make sence.Can anybody tell me?).

I’m really having a hard time with pronunciation. I write , read and understand almost everything but my problem is that I can’t sound like a native speaker. Please, please make more pronunciation videos.

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Learn English for free with 1240 video lessons by experienced native-speaker teachers. Classes cover English grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, IELTS, TOEFL, and more. Join millions of ESL students worldwide who are improving their English every day with engVid.

Learn English for free with 1240 video lessons by experienced native-speaker teachers. Classes cover English grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, IELTS, TOEFL, and more. Join millions of ESL students worldwide who are improving their English every day with engVid.